Massaging device



Patented Dec. 16, 1952 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MASSAGINGV Davies Margaret B. Ehrhardt, New york. N. Y. I Application October 23, 1951, Serial No.252,724

I 5 Claims. 1 This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a massaging device.

More specifically, the present invention proposes the construction of a novel massager having an elongated handle to be hand held at one end and a pair of massaging drums rotatively mounted in end alignment on the other end of the handle in a manner to be rolled over the fleshy parts of the body to effectively treat and massage the same.

A further object of the present invention proposes constructing the massaging drums of axially extended flutes on the peripheral surfaces thereof so as to have a gentle but thorough massaging effect on the fleshy parts as the drums are rolled thereover. 1

Still further, the present invention proposes providing means for removably mounting the massaging drums on trunnions which extend from opposite sides of the one end'of the handlein a manner to permit the massaging drumsto be removed and interchanged with new ones when desired.

It is a further object of the present invention to construct the handle so that the trunnions are integral with the one end of the handle and to provide the other end of the handle with an enlargement at its free end for restraining the handle from being accidentally pulled out of the hand during the massaging operation.

As a further object, the present invention further proposes the provision of rings of material harder than the massaging drums which can he slipped into position over the massaging drums in a manner to change and/or vary the massaging action of the massager.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

On the accompanying drawing forming a material part of the present disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the massager constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the drum end of the massager with portions thereof shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the one massaging drum taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but illustrating a modification of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is another view similar to Fig. '2, but illustrating a still further modification of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the one massaging drum taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Thevmassager, according to the first form of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, includes an elongated handle I0 which has 'a pair of end aligned trunnions ll extended in opposite directions from the one end of the handle. The handle [0 and trunnions II are integrally formed of a non-corrosive metal and the other end thereof is shaped to be conveniently and comfortably gripped in one hand. At its end remote" from the trunnions I I, the handle is formed with an enlargement l2 for retaining the handle from being accidentally pulled from the hand during the massaging operation.

Rotatively positioned on each of the trunnions H; there is a massaging drum l4 molded of a soft resilient'material preferably sponge rubber. Each of the massaging drums is alike in construction and provided with an axial bore l5 into the ends of which short metallic ferrules l6 are fitted. Each of the ferrules 16 at its outer end is formed with an outwardly directed flange ll for retaining the respective ferrule from slipping into the ends of the bore l5. The ends of the massaging drums l4 facing away from the handle I0 have recesses [8 arranged concentric with the bores I5. The flanges ll of the outermost ferrules 16 are disposed within those recesses, as best shown in Fig. 2. The trunnions II are extended through the ferrules l6 and beyond the flanges I! of the outermost ferrules and within the recesses IS, the ends of the trunnions are milled over forming enlarged heads I9. The heads l9 are spaced sufficiently from the adjacent faces of the handle [0 to permit free rotation of the massaging drums l4 relative to the trunnions II and yet maintain the massaging drums in position thereon.

The ferrules 16 in addition to reinforcing the bores of the soft massaging drums 14 also rotatively engage the trunnions II to maintain the material of the drums l4 out of frictional contact with the trunnions H so that the drums will have freedom of rotation at all times.

The peripheries of the massagin drums M are convexed outward so that the drums will be barrel-shaped with their greatest diameter midway of their ends. Each drum is formed about its periphery with a plurality of parallelly ex- 3 tended flutes 29 all extended parallel to the axis of the respective drum [4.

The flutes 26 are provided for improving the massaging action of the drums I 4 as they are rolled over the fleshy parts of the body.

The modification of the invention shown in Fig. 4 is characterized by means for removably mounting the massaging drums M in position upon the trunnions II to be removed and interchanged with new drums when desired.

The removable mounting means for the drums it is characterized by the fact that the outer ends of the trunnions i i are formed with coaxial in.- ternally threaded recesses 2 l. Positioned against the outer ends of the trunnions H there are enlarged washers 22 which fit loosely into the recesses E8 of the drums l4. Bolts 23 are passed through the washers 22 and tightened against the outer face of the washers holding them in position on the ends of the trunnions l I The trunnions l i are somewhat longer than the space between the outer faces of the flanges H of the ferrules It of the massaging drums 14 so that when the washers 22 are mounted in position they will not bind and interfere with free rotation of the massaging drums.

In all other respects, the form of the invention shown in Fig. i is similar to that previously described and like reference numerals are used for identifying like parts.

Referring now to the modification of the invention shown in Fig. and 6, the massaging drums it are of uniform diameter from end to end and formed of the same soft resilient material as in the previous forms or" the invention. Fitted into position about the massaging drums Hi there are removable tubular tread portions 30. The tread portions 35 are formed of material which is harder than the material used for forming the massaging drums I i. The tubular tread portions so could be formed of wood, metal or a synthetic resinous material, but as shown on the drawings, those tread portions are preferably formed of rubber which is harder than the sponge rubber used in the massaging drums I4.

The inner peripheries of the tubular tread portions 39 are formed with flutes 3| which, when the tread portions are in position on the massaging drums id, as best shown in Fig. 6, intermesh with the flutes 253 of the massaging drums retaining the tread portions against rotation relative to the massaging drums.

The outer peripheries of the tread portions 39 are cylindrical and smooth so that when the tread portions are in position the massager will have a different effect then when the massager is used without the tread portions. On Fig. 5, the right hand tubular tread portion is mounted in position, but the position of the left-hand portion is indicated merely by the dot and dash lines 33.

In all other respects, the form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is similar to that described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2 and like reference numerals are used to identify like parts.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A massager comprising an elongated handle, end aligned trunnions extended from opposite sides of said handle at one end thereof, said trunnions being integral with said handle, and one-piece fluted massaging drums rotatively mounted on each of said trunnions, said massaging drums being of uniform diameter from end to end and having their peripheries formed with parallel axially extended flutes, and tubular tread portions fitted into position over said massaging drums.

2. A massager comprising an elongated handle, end aligned trunnions extended from opposite sides of said handle at one end thereof, said trunnions being integral with said handle, and one-piece fluted massaging drums rotatively mounted on each of said trunnions, said massaging drums being of uniform diameter from end to end and having their peripheries formed with parallel axially extended flutes, and tubular tread portions fitted into position over said massaging drums, said massaging drums being formed of sponge rubber, said tread portions being formed of harder rubber and havin cylindrical smooth outer peripheries.

3. A massager comprising an elongated handle, end aligned trunnions extended from opposite sides of said handle at one end thereof, said trunnions being integral with said handle, and one-piece fluted massaging drums rotatively mounted on each of said trunnions, said massaging drums being of uniform diameter from end to end and having their peripheries formed with parallel axially extended flutes, and tubular tread portions fitted into position over said massaging drums, said massaging drums being formed of sponge rubber, said tread portions being formed of harder rubber and having cylindrical smooth outer peripheries, said tread portions having their inner peripheries fluted matching the fluting of said massaging drums to retain said tread portions against turning relative to said massaging drums.

4. The combination of claim 2 wherein said massaging drums including axial bores through which the trunnions extend, and tubular ferrules extended into the ends of the axial bores of said massaging drums and surrounding said trunnions.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said ferrules include outwardly extended flanges and recesses in the outer end of the massaging drums concentric with said bores and within which the respective flanges are located.

MARGARET B. EHRHARDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,086,936 Pounder et a1. Feb, 10, 1914 1,872,832 Silverberg Aug. 23, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 11,156 Great Britain July 20, 1916 

